B.C. RCMP Face-Punching Trial Wraps Up

CBC

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The trial of a B.C. RCMP officer accused of assaulting a teen girl has wrapped up, but a verdict is not expected for several weeks.

Const. Andy Yung has admitted punching a 17-year-old Jamie Haller in the face while she was handcuffed in the back seat of his police cruiser because, as he testified, she was drunk and agitated and had wrapped her legs around his head.

Haller, now 18, testified that the officer punched her more than six times.

"I thought I was going to be safe with the cops, but no," Haller said.

Haller's mother was walking toward the vehicle while the incident took place.

Yung's lawyer maintains the level of force his client used was acceptable under the circumstances and that Haller's memory was clouded by the alcohol she had consumed.

Troubled past

The Crown argued that the extent of Haller's injuries don't match the officer's version of events.

Const. Yung has a troubled past. In 2008, while providing security at an international summit in Banff, he was involved in a drunken telephone conversation with his ex-girlfriend when he fired his service gun into the ceiling of his hotel room.

Yung was later cited for disgraceful conduct and docked just 5 days pay.

While awaiting the outcome of this case, Const. Yung remains on paid desk duty.

He'll face another RCMP code of conduct hearing regardless of the judge's verdict, which is not expected before the end of February.